Ventilated toilet



Dec. 17, 1968 w. R. KLEMME VENT ILATED TOILET Filed Feb. 8, 1967 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 30 rllavllllll/ f/ Ik ATTORNEYS.

Dec. 17, 196s w R KLEMME Y 3,416,167

VENTILATED TOILET BY lm/www ATTORNEYS.

3,416,167 VENTILATED TOILET William R. Klemme, Rte. 1, 2721, Colfax, Calif. 95713 Filed Feb. 8, 1967, Sel. No. 614,582 1 Claim. (Cl. 4--217) ABSTRACT F THE DISCLOSURE A toilet provided with air inlet means at the front and air exit means at the rear and a blower for drawing a stream of air through the toilet bowl and exhausting air and odor at the rear and a switch in the toilet seat for energizing the blower is disclosed.

Background of the invention Field of the invention-This invention relates to ventilated toilets, and more particularly to a toilet construction for minimizing bad odors by inducing a moving stream of air through the toilet and into an exterior vent.

Description of the prior art.-As conducive to an understanding of the instant invention, it should be noted that the prior art has provided ventilated toilets in which an air connection is disposed between the toilet bowl and a ventingoutlet such that a draft of air may be created between the toilet and the outside atmosphere to prevent odor accumulation in a bathroom. One apparent disadvantage with the prior art devices is the provision of externally -visible air conduits leading from a position above the toilet bowl to a wall of the room. It will be-manifest that exteriorly visible conduits substantially detract from the utilitarian lines of the device.

Another disadvantage of prior art Ventilated toilets is that a substantially continuous draft is created by connecting the air line to a vented compartment to produce a chimney action. This has similarly been disadvantageous since the only requirements for ventilation occur when the toilet is being used. A substantially continuous draft results in a considerable loss of heat during the wintertime and results in the unnecessary use of fuel and oversized heating plants as well as creating drafts.

Summary It is accordingly an object of the instant invention to provide a ventilated toilet in which the air passageways leading therefrom are hidden from View.

Another object of the instant invention is to provide a ventilated toilet which is operative only when the toilet is in use.

A further object of the instant invention is to provide a ventilated toilet in which the movable connection between the toilet seat and the toilet bowl forms suitable air passageways for carrying a moving stream of air in order to camouflage the objectionable features of prior art ventilated toilets.

A further object of the instant invention is to provide a toilet hinge which may be used to mount a seat or movement on a bowl and to pass a stream of moving air therethrough, the hinge being so constructed and arranged to allow the ow of air through the hinge when the seat is down and toprevent the ow of air and moisture therethrough when the seat is up.

Other objects and advantages of the instant invention reside in the combinations of elements, arrangements of parts, and features of construction and operation, all as will be more fully pointed out hereinafter and disclosed in the accompanying drawing wherein there are shown preferred embodiments of this inventive concept.

ice

Brief description of the drawing FIGURE 1 is a side elevational view of the ventilated toilet of the instant invention illustrating in cross-section the lloor upon which it rests and the wall adjacent which it is positioned;

FIGURE 2 is a partial top plan view of the hinge, seat and lid of the ventilated toilet of FIGURE l as may be seen from along line 2-2 thereof as viewed in the direction indicated by the arrows;

FIGURE 3 is a cross-sectional view of the hinge construction of the toilet of FIGURES 1 and 2 taken substantially along line 3 3 of FIGURE 2 as viewed in the direction indicated by the arrows;

FIGURE 4 is a cross-sectional view of the wall with the air line entering therein to provide another embodiment of the air draft means for exhausting air from the ventilated toilet of the instant invention; and

FIGURE 5 is another cross-sectional View of the wall through which the air line of the ventilated toilet extends illustrating another form of air draft means for drawing a stream of air through the ventilated toilet of the instant invention.

FIGURES 6 and 7 are top and side cross-sectional views respectively of an alternative embodiment wherein the air draft means is integral with the toilet bowl.

FIGURES 8 and 9 and 10 are top, side cross-sectional and side plan views of a second alternative embodiment of the invention wherein the toilet bowl is tted flush against the wall and where the toilet bowl includes an integral air draft means.

Description of the preferred embodiment Referring now to the drawing in detail, wherein like reference characters designated like elements throughout the several views thereof, the Ventilated toilet of the instant invention is shown generally at 10 having as its major components a toilet shown generally at 12 and an air draft means denominated generally at 14 for creating a moving stream of air through toilet 12 to a vent. Toilet 12 includes a bowl 16 elevated above a floor 18 by a stanchion 20 and a plate 22 fastened to door 18 by a plurality of studs 24. Bowl 16 forms the conventional upper lip 26 and a rearward extension 28 projecting beyond the confines of a seat shown generally at 30, the importance of which will be explained more fully hereinafter. Extension 28 is rigidly supported from stanchion 20 by a brace 32 with an upstanding toilet tank 34 being positioned on the rear of extension 28 by any suitable means.

Tank 34 communicates with the interior of bowl 16 through a suitable flushing line 38 (FIGURE 3) in which conventional valve arrangements (not shown) are placed for controlling the discharge of water from tank 34. A closet L 40 is positioned under lloor 18 and acts to carry the discharge from bowl 16 to a Y-shaped connection 42 communicating with a soil line 44 extending between a pair of partitions 46, 48 perpendicular to oor 18 with partition 46 being located closely adjacent the rear of tank 34. It should be apparent that soil line 44 extends downwardly from connection 42 to carry away the discharge from bowl 16. Soil line 44 is vented above Y 42 thereby carrying away fumes.

Seat 30 is preferably made of a molded peripherally extending plastic body 50 of substantially conventional shape and is directly supported on the upper edge 26 of bowl 16. Body 50 forms an inlet passageway 52 at the front thereof providing communication between the interior 'of the room and bowl 16. Positioned immediately above toilet seat 30 is a lid S4 of conventional configuration supported from the upper surface of body 50 by a plurality of rubber feet 56 with a hinge connecting means or member shown generally at 58 securing lid 54, seat 30 and rearward extension 28 Kof toilet 12 together to allow separate conventional pivotal movement of lid 54 and seat 30. An important feature of the instant invention resides in the provision and construction of hinge 58 and the cooperation thereof with an air passage 60 formed in seat body 50 as shown best in FIGURE 3.

Hinge connecting means 58 comprises a partially hollowed or inner journal member 62 having a conduit extension 64 extending downwardly therefrom into a socket portion 66 formed in brace 32 which is in communication with passage 68 also formed in brace 32. A generally right angular fluid passage 70 is formed in journal member 62. When seat body 50 is in the down position, as shown in FIGURE 3, inner journal member 62 communicates at one end with air passage 60 formed in seat body 50 and at the other end with passage 68 formed in brace 32 forming an intercommunicating passage therebetween. Hinge connecting means 58 further comprises an outer journal sleeve 72 which is received about inner journal member 62 for relative rotation about the inner journal member 62 when the seat body 50 is lifted and lowered. A slot 74 is formed in the lower portion of outer journal sleeve 72 to clear conduit extension 64 thereby permitting relative rotation between inner journal member 62 and outer journal sleeve 72. Lid 54 is also pivotally mounted by hinge means 58 which further comprises a pair of generally circular mounting arms 76 through which securing pins or bolts 78 extend, as best shown in FIGURE 2. Pins 78 extend into indents 80, which may be threaded and which may threadably receive the ends of pins or bolts 78.

Thus hinge member 58 comprises a partially hollowed inner journal member having a conduit extension 64 which serves to pass air from the bowl and, in addition, to secure hinge means 58 to extension 28. The latter securement may be accomplished by threading conduit extension 64 on socket portion 66, by friction fit, or by any convenient means known to the art. Hinge means 58 further comprises an outer journal sleeve 72 which, in a preferred embodiment, may be integrally molded with the seat body 50 and forwardly extending tongue thereof having a passage therethrough. Cover 54 is mounted by a pair of arm extensions and mounting pins to the inner journal member 62.

When seat body 50 is in the down position as shown in FIGURES 1-3, flow of air is permitted through inlet passageway 52 at the front of the seat body S0, through the bowl 16, exiting through air passage 60, fluid passage 70 in inner journal member 62 and fluid passage 70 in brace 32, and from the toilet seat through conduit 82, which is received in socket portion 84 of brace 32, to inlet 86 which is in uid-transmitting relation to squirrel cage fan 94. It will be apparent that operation of squirrel cage fan 94 will result in air ow through the path just described.

An important feature of this invention lies in the relationship of the iiuid passage 70 in inner journal member 62 and air passage 60 in seat body 50. As shown in FIG- URE 3, when seat body 50 is in the down position there is communication between passage 60 and passage 70; however, when seat body 50 is raised, thereby pivoting outer journal sleeve 72, passage 60 is no longer in alignment with passage 70 and ilow inwardly from passage 70 is prevented by closure of the passage inlet by journal sleeve 72. Thus, only when seat body 50 is in the down position is air drawn from the room through the bowl and outwardly through passage 68. In this manner, drafts, extraction of lheat from the room, undue noise and other disadvantages lof devices of the prior art are avoided.

Fan 94 is powered by a conventional electric motor 96 and delivers the air stream to an outlet conduit or line 98 received by a coupling 100 in soil line 44. A check valve shown generally at 102 having a conventional flapper 104 is positioned in outlet line 98 to allow flow away from toilet 12 and to prevent backow. It will be evident that the energization of motor 96 drives fan 94 and results in the passage of a stream of air from within bowl 16 through air draft means 14 into vented soil line 44.

In Iorder to provide a means for selectively energizing motor 96, a microswitch 108 is molded in seat body 50 providing a plunger 110 contacting upper edge 26 of bowl 16 such that the placing of a predetermined weight on seat 30 depressed plunger 110 and closes switch 108 to energize motor 96 thereby driving fan 94. An insulated electric wire 112 is molded in seat 50 and extends rearwardly thereof to electric motor 96 thereby energizing motor 96 upon the depression of seat 30 by an adequate force.

Referring now to FIGURE 4, another form of air removal means is shown generally at 114 and constitutes a pipe 116, which may be an extention of -pipe 92, extending through partition walls 46 and 48 to the exterior of the building. A conventional flapper 118 may be positioned in pipe 116 thereby acting as a check valve in a conve' tional manner.

Referring now to FIGURE 5, another form of air removal means is shown generally at 120 and comprises conduit 20 and check valve 102 with a water conduit shown generally at 122 being used in lieu of fan 94. Water conduit 122 includes a relatively high pressure water line or pipe 124 connected to a suitable source of pressure with a solenoid operated valve 126 positioned therein for selectively Starting and stopping the flow therethrough. A solenoid 128 is positioned adjacent valve 126 and is electrically connected to switch 108 to energize solenoid 128 upon the the placement of a predetermined weight on seat 30. Downstream of valve 128, water line 124 passes through conduit 90 with a terminus 130 lying therein such that the flow of water through pipe 124 acts to draw a stream of air through conduit 90 by the well known venturi action, thereby obviating the need for the electric motor.

In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the toilet 200 may include an integrally formed chamber 202 which communicates through a passage 204 which extends upwardly from the chamber 202 where it communicates with a passage 206 in a lid and cover mounting block 208. A seat 210 has integrally formed therein a passage 212 which extends from a communicating relationship with the inside of bowl 214 to the rear where it communicates with passage 206. A cover 216 is hingably mounted above seat 210. The front of seat 210 may have an inlet passage formed in the manner described with respect to seat 50.

A blower 218 is mounted in the chamber 202 and a conduit 220 extends rearwardly from the chamber in communicating relationship therewith to carry the vented air stream to the soil pipe 44. Power is supplied through line 222 to the blower 218 which is energized by a switch 224 which may conveniently be mounted on the wall. Mounting lblock 208 may be secured by bolts, adhesive, or by any conventional means to toilet 200. Seat 210 has formed a concave portion 226 on the rear thereon which cooperates with a convex portion 228 to permit pivotal movement of the seat 210 with respect to mounting block 208. Movement upwardly closes the entrance to passage 206 while movement to the downward position, as shown in FIGURE 7, permits passage 212 to cornmunicate with passage 206.

While a wall switch 224 is shown as a convenient method for energizing the blower 218, it will be realized that a switch may be mounted in the seat to energize the blower 218 n the manner shown in FIGURE 1. Since this wiring is adequately shown in the previous gures, it is omitted in FIGURES 6 and 7 for purposes of clarity.

In the embodiment of FIGURES 6 and 7, access is had to the blower 218 from the rear for purposes of maintenance, lubrication, and, if necessary, repair.

It is becoming customary to mount toilets lush with the wall which would preclude access to the blower in the embodiment of FIGURES 6 and 7. Therefore, a second alternative embodiment is provided in FIGURES 8, 9 and 10 which generally is similar to the embodiment of FIGURES 6 and 7 but is provided with access means on the side.

In FIGURES 8, 9 and l0, the toilet 300 is provided with a chamber 302 which communicates through passage 304 with passage 306 in mounting block 308. Seat 310 is provided with a passage 312 which is in communication with passage 306 for drawing air from bowl 314. A lid 316 is provided in the conventional manner. A blower 318 is mounted in chamber 302 for forcing the air through a conduit 320 to soil pipe 44. The blower 318 is energized by a conductor 322 by means of switch 324.

A concave portion 326 is provided on the rear of seat 310 and a convex portion 328 is provided on the front of mounting block 308 in a manner similar to that shown in FIGURES 6 and 7.

Access to blower 318 is had through a side opening 330 which is covered by a door 332 which is hingeably mounted by a hinge 334 to the toilet. This means of access to the blower permits the toilet to be mounted flush with the wall and also permits access to the blower for maintenance and repair.

It will thus be seen that an object of the invention, the provision of a toilet having integrally formed therein an air draft chamber and containing an air draft means therein which may be mounted either spaced apart from a Wall or ush with the wall has been provided. In the embodiment of FIGURES 6 and 7 and FIGURES 8, 9 and 10, the hinge including mounting blocks 208 arid 308, respectively, includes passages for carrying air from the bowl through a passage in the seat. In this manner, a convenient, compact, and attractive xture is provided which accomplishes the desired ends of this invention.

It is now seen that there is herein provided an improved ventilated toilet which accomplishes all of the objects of the instant invention and others, including many advantages of great practical utility and commercial importance.

Since many embodiments may be made of the instant inventive concept, and since many modifications may be made of the embodiment hereinbefore shown and described, it will be understood that the foregoing is to be interpreted merely as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

I claim:

1. An improved ventilated toilet comprising:

a unitary construction which includes means defining a bowl and a rearward extension which includes a chamber opening to the rear and a conduit opening to the top of the unitary construction, said conduit being in communication with the chamber;

a motor driven fan in the chamber so disposed as to propel air from the conduit into the chamber;

means for connecting the chamber to a conduit carrying the air from the chamber to a soil pipe when said air is propelled from the conduit;

a cover mounting block secured on the top of the unitary construction, said cover block including a convex arcuate front edge and having a passageway extending from said arcuate front edge through the block to the bottom thereof, said passageway being in fluid tight communication with the opening of the conduit in the unitary construction;

a toilet seat having rearwardly extending ears disposed on opposite ends of the mounting block, said toilet seat having a concave arcuate rear portion between the ears for complementary juxtaposition with the arcuate front portion ofthe block and a passageway extending from a point in communication with the passageway in the block to a point in communication with the toilet bowl when the seat is in position above the bowl;

means pivotally securing the seat ears to the block; and

a cover mounted to selectively cover the toilet seat, said seat and cover being movable to an upward position wherein said passageway in said seat is not in communication with said passageway in said block.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 261,l 7/1882 Horne 4-215 688,234 12/1901 Brown 4-213 749,875 1/ 1904 Muckenhirn 4-215 1,666,465 4/ 1928 Norris 4-213 1,794,635 3/1931 Mills 4-217 2,079,733 5/ 1937 Cummings 4-213 2,122,687 7/ 1938 Herrmann 4--213 2,160,213 5/1939 Hoiman 4-213 2,286,555 6/1942 Long 4-213 2,743,462 5/ 1956 McMillan 4-213 3,108,289 10/ 1963 Smith 4-213 SAMUEL ROTHBERG, Primary Examiner. D. MASSENBERG, Assistant Examiner. 

